SOOO glad I'm not taking childbirthing class

Happeewife · August 2009

For those of us who plan on having epidurals ... taking childbirthing classes seem like a waste of time. I have heard so many stories of women getting C-sections and wasting $$$$ on the birthing classes. If you really think about it hospitals andn healthcare people try to scare you and say well it's $150 to spend to feel prepared. It's marketing and a psychological game. You can never totally prepared

JenniferTCU · August 2009

Mine wasn't that great but looking back, I am glad I took it. If I happen to be dilated by the time I arrive at the hospital to a point in which it's too late for an epidural, I want to be prepared. Lots of other reasons too. I realize that scenario is wishful thinking but it's a cool dream.

maschmidt16 · August 2009

I SOOO disagree. Like Jennifer was saying my class wasn't the greatest but I glad I am taking it. For the following reasons...

1) Even if you plan to get an epidural, they don't necessarily stab you right away so you'll have to cope some of the pain. Plus, it's not a magic bullet that will take away all the pain and it might not work for everyone. It's good to know how to cope in other ways.

2) The class (at least the one I took) cover all types of births including natural, inductions, pain relief and c-sections. I plan to go natural but I like to be informed of what may happen and know all the pros and cons of every option.

3) Yes, there is no way to be totally prepared but why be totally ignorant??

gobigblue · August 2009

my classes were free. i actually liked them and felt a bit more prepared.

Happeewife · August 2009

Just get a DVD to watch for $40 through amazon. BTW so many women have babies without those classes. My husband said two women at work were pissed for taking the childbirthing class and said it was a waste because they ended up having c-sections. Also, Dr.s and nursing staff are supposed to guide you while you are there.

Happeewife · August 2009

Last .. how many people do you now who spent good money on something they were so sure about and later tell people "I was an idiot and a moron for doing it". Most people are not going to say anything ... rather they will lie and say ... "oh yess it was the best thing I ever did and make themseleves look smart." Image it's all about image ... phony as it may be.

Happeewife · August 2009

maschmidt: how can you say the classes were not the greatest and imply that you did not take them yet?

&& · August 2009

I am glad I am taking the classes. But I am also a person who likes as much information as possible. I actually took 3 pages of notes during the first class....There are just so many things that I did not know and I would much rather have some idea of what to expect since it is something I have never experienced before. I want to be as prepared as I can (knowing that I will never be totally prepared). The 2 classes I have had so far were very informative......we have 3 classes left to go!

--- I also think my H appreciates the info since he did not grow up around little babies and is a little nervous about having our own. It is nice discussing the topics brought up in class together.

I already feel like we have "gotten our moneys worth" Smile

Moiselle · August 2009

You do have a point...I invested in a Hypnoobirth home study program. Studied for 4 weeks every day, swam for 4 months and worked out for my speedy labor and I ended up with a CS after 44 hours of labor. Good thing I did not hire a doula!

But the hypnobirthing helped for 24 hours before the epidural. Had I delivered under that time, I would have been OK. But you just never know what will happen.

On a positive note...I think my acitivy helped for a speedy recovery after the CS.

KD288 · August 2009

Hmmm, seems like this is a "depends on the type of person" post. Plus I guess it depends on the Hospital.

I personally felt, just like Jen and MrsS that the class was worth taking because even though I have educated myself by other means I am now prepared for what is going to take place at MY hospital and what MY options are. Now granted anything and everything can happen when the day comes but now I know what will take place and how it will affect me, my DH, and my LO (and not some chick in Kalamazoo) if and when it does happen.

As with anything that is pg related you need to decide what is right for you and your pg.

shelby9201 · August 2009

Our hospital offers classes for free, so we signed up for everything they had to offer. We are also doing a 2 Saturday childbirthing class for $50, so that we have additional information. I am also taking the C-Section class, although I would like to think this would be a last resort for me. If I have learned one thing in the 6 or so months I have been on here, it's that nothing is a guarantee and even the most amazingly thought out plans can turn completely upside down in a quick minute.

This whole process is one of the most unpredictable series of events that any of us will ever encounter. FWIW, I would rather spend a little $$$ on learning about all the options, than to be faced with some curve ball I was not expecting.

Good luck to all the mommas!!!

maschmidt16 · August 2009

Happeewife:
maschmidt: how can you say the classes were not the greatest and imply that you did not take them yet?

Not sure where you got the implication that did not take them. I am taking them.

robynlesley · August 2009

Even though I had an epidural, it wasn't immediate and the deep breathing helped me get through the beginning of my induction (1cm to 3cm, when it began to HURT).

I took an overall prepared childbirth/childcare class. It went over hospital stuff, c-sections, induction, taking care of a newborn, etc. Of course the Lamaze breathing

So, for me, the childbirth class was a good thing. I was prepared for the induction and the epidural and it wasn't "unknown."

carladillon · August 2009

I remember you commenting on the cost of the classes offered at your hospital in a previous post and that appeared to be a deciding factor for you. My hospital offered a general childbirth prep class for $40. I have a medical background and have attended a couple births, so for me it wasn't completely necessary. However, my DH has no prior frame of reference for pregnancy and childbirth so it was important to me that he get a good idea. There was no way he would read a book about it, so the classroom setting was perfect. Fear of the unknown can contribute a lot to pain. I have heard from many people - friends and family - that either were too far along for an epi or that the epi didn't take as well as expected. While I agree that you can never be totally prepared, I think it's important to have as much information as possible so you can be as flexible as possible. I think for anyone who has taken a birthing class and their birth goes "according to plan", I don't think they regret it. Unfortunately, we don't all have a crystal ball so we can't see into the future as to exactly what will happen. It's a gamble you take. Everyone learns differently - books, videos, classroom...classroom doesn't work for you so that's fine. But don't dismiss it for others.

stever · August 2009

JenniferTCU:
Mine wasn't that great but looking back, I am glad I took it. If I happen to be dilated by the time I arrive at the hospital to a point in which it's too late for an epidural, I want to be prepared. Lots of other reasons too. I realize that scenario is wishful thinking but it's a cool dream.

This, and they won't give you an epi until you've dilated to a certain point.

stever · August 2009

carladillon:
classroom doesn't work for you so that's fine. But don't dismiss it for others.

This too.

rsd12 · August 2009

While you may not remember everything from your childbirth class.. I had an epidural with both kids & delivered vaginally. But I did learn a lot from my classes 4 years ago.. I learned a lot about the different types of narcotics & why I chose the epidural & nothing else, plus I did not want to ever use forcepts, but would be okay if we had to be with the vacuum. You never know... you may be too dilated for an epidural too - it happens. It is always helpful to be prepared, whether it is reading it in a book, taking a class, or watching a video.

violetblue72 · August 2009

I disagree if only for the fact it made me feel as if I had a few tools at the ready for when I actually did go into labor. Even if you have a c-section you usually have contractions iitially so it helps to manage that pain. Yes, you could read a book or watch a video but it was good to be with other pregnant moms and dads-to-be and hear their questions as well. I guess it depends on what kind of person you are whether or not you'd find it helpful.

kimisuejoia · August 2009

I fail to see how educating yourself and being more knowledgeable about what is hapening to your body can ever be considered a 'waste of time'.

Just sayin...

Happeewife · August 2009

Well also I took a Baby Care Class, I already knew about 95% of what was discussed. Women get through stuff. I have a Master's Degree so I am very much the type to do research and educate myself - I also just found out I need to purchase my own crib bedding set becauseanything I wanted to put on my registry is being discontinued ... so there is $150 - $200 there I did not plan on laying out ... ch ching cha ching goes my wallett ... makes the $150 birthing class look less significant.

Peppernut · August 2009

I actually enjoyed my classes. They were pretty basic, sure, but I learned about

hospital policies

things you might not think to ask for or about when you get to the hospital

where everything is

pain relief options, including side effects, tradeoffs and timetables for each

what happens in an emergency situation

breastfeeding help in the hospital

all kinds of little details I think we might be too freaked out to ask once we arrive. We also met other couples due around the same time, which was great since so many of our friends in Montreal are single.

sistrkate · August 2009

Happeewife:
Well also I took a Baby Care Class, I already knew about 95% of what was discussed. Women get through stuff. I have a Master's Degree so I am very much the type to do research and educate myself - I also just found out I need to purchase my own crib bedding set becauseanything I wanted to put on my registry is being discontinued ... so there is $150 - $200 there I did not plan on laying out ... ch ching cha ching goes my wallett ... makes the $150 birthing class look less significant.

I think your posts in this thread are coming off as quite snippy. I agree with the posters that say this decision is one that is different for everyone and what they feel their needs are. I too have a Master's Degree, but with my first pregnancy, I took the childbirth series, a Baby Care class, infant CPR and breastfeeding classes in addition to reading all of the books and websites I could find. I babysat as a teenager, I'm very close to my sister and her 3 kids and cared for them often as infants, but I had never been through the birth experience myself. Saying "women get through stuff" is just plain condescending. The overwhelming experience of giving birth combined with the hormone rush is a lot to deal with and some people just feel better prepared after taking a class or two, and interacting with people in a similar situation.

I agree that the $150 cost seems high, but given the fact that your profile says you are in NY explains the cost differential somewhat. I live in the Midwest and the costs for my classes were cheaper, but I felt they were worth it and justified. And frankly, your attitude about "having to buy your own bedding set" is appalling. It's wonderful when friends and family give you gifts from a registry, but ultimately, it was YOUR choice to bring a child into this world and you've got to be prepared to pay the expenses associated with such. Comparing the cost of a childbirth class to a bedding set is apples and oranges in my opinion.......your baby will care less about the bedding.

I hope you have an easy, wonderful, stress-free delivery experience, I really do. But please stop trying to convince those that think the classes are worthwhile that their opinions are not valid because they don't coincide with yours.

JenniferTCU · August 2009

Happeewife:
Well also I took a Baby Care Class, I already knew about 95% of what was discussed. Women get through stuff. I have a Master's Degree so I am very much the type to do research and educate myself - I also just found out I need to purchase my own crib bedding set becauseanything I wanted to put on my registry is being discontinued ... so there is $150 - $200 there I did not plan on laying out ... ch ching cha ching goes my wallett ... makes the $150 birthing class look less significant.

Ah okay. I *think* I get it. It seems you are perhaps justifying not taking the class because of another expense that you weren't expecting (although...oh nevermind). Either way, as some have stated, it's sort of irresponsible to state that education like this isn't worthwhile.

I could be way off base here...but that's just my take on it.

maschmidt16 · August 2009

sistrkate:
I hope you have an easy, wonderful, stress-free delivery experience, I really do. But please stop trying to convince those that think the classes are worthwhile that their opinions are not valid because they don't coincide with yours.

here, here Yes

JenniferTCU · August 2009

sistrkate:

I hope you have an easy, wonderful, stress-free delivery experience, I really do. But please stop trying to convince those that think the classes are worthwhile that their opinions are not valid because they don't coincide with yours.

Smile xoxo

Happeewife · August 2009

Oh I totally agree that the baby will care less about the bedding and I would not be wasting my time on this board obsessing if I had a job. I can't believe my life has to come obsessing over stuff like this. I'm being condescending about women getting through this stuff. What I meant was women have been having babies for centuries therefore they get through it. My sister is an RN and worked in pediatrics, having her first and not doing and money is not as much of an issue for her and her husband.

cfitz16 · August 2009

They don't only talk about epidurals...they talk about your breathing, how to push, and what is going to be happening in terms of other types of intervention and what your choices are. For the class my husband and I took, we took it through our practice, not the hospital and it was great. It was not really all that expensive either.

jetgrrrl · August 2009

my class was well worth it even though Iultimayely got the epidural. I would have been out of my mind scared had I not had some idea what to expect.

shelby9201 · August 2009

DH and I took the anesthesia class at our hospital last night. The doctor who hosted the class strongly suggested that everyone take at least the basic childbirth class. He discussed the benefits of breathing techniques and assisted pushing going hand in hand with the use of the epidural. He also talked about cases where it was too late for an epi or that the epi didn't "take" completely.

shimmerairbrush · August 2009

With my first i did NOT take a child birthing class. BIG MISTAKE. When that first real contraction came after my water broke i did not know how to cope. My screams were probably heard through out the hospital (luckily i was already there for an exam!) and between each contraction i felt either lightheaded or threw up. The nurse kept telling me to use my breathing techniques...i had no idea what she was talking about. This time around I am definitely taking at least one class even though i know more of what to expect. It may be easier this time since its my 2nd...but it may not. I just want to feel better prepared.

This was just MY experience, maybe i had a rough labor compared to most...but it sure would have been nice to know that labor contractions were not anything near the strong menstrual cramps as i'd always been told they were...

I hope i haven't scared any first time moms-to-be. That is not my intention, i just made a silly mistake by not preparing myself and i wont do it again. Its always nicer when you can learn from someone elses mistakes and avoid your own!

&& · August 2009

Happeewife:
Women get through stuff. I have a Master's Degree so I am very much the type to do research and educate myself - .

what does having a masters degree have to do with going through childbirth?? If you are the "type" to educate yourself, I would think you would be an advocate for these classes, not bashing those who take them. I too have a masters degree and am thankful that there are specific classes available for those who want to attend them.

Want a personalized experience?

SOOO glad I'm not taking childbirthing class

Re: SOOO glad I'm not taking childbirthing class

Choose Another Board

Search Boards